FILE PHOTO: Satellite model is placed on Intelsat logo in this picture illustration taken April 4, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
MANILA, Philippines — Intelsat, a US-based satellite and terrestrial network company, is set to provide infrastructure support to mobile network operators, telecommunication carriers, and internet service providers to enhance connectivity across the country, especially those in remote areas.
In a statement on Tuesday, the multinational company said the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) had granted it a satellite service provider and operator license.
This made Intelsat the first foreign geo satellite operator licensed to offer its products in the Philippines.
The license allows it to provide satellite access and backhaul solutions, enabling expansion of 4G reach.
“We are dedicated to empowering a range of customers across the mobile network operators, enterprise, and internet service provider segments, by addressing their mission-critical requirements, offering service-level guarantees, and delivering comprehensive end-to-end integration and operational support, all customized to suit their distinctive and demanding operating landscapes,” said Gaurav Kharod, regional vice president of Asia Pacific Sales at Intelsat.
Connectivity services
Inquirer reached out to Intelsat to ask for more details about future operations in the Philippines but has yet to receive a response as of writing.
READ: 2 PH internet sats for launching in 2024 named ‘Agila,’ 10 million to gain
The DICT is keen on bringing connectivity services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, which comprise 65 percent of the country.
To speed up infrastructure build, using satellite technology, which does not rely on the on-ground facilities, has been tapped as a solution.
Prior to this, the DICT had granted tech mogul Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines license to operate as an internet service provider in 2022.
READ: Starlink now in PH
More players expressed interest to operate in the Philippines, including Luxembourg-based connectivity solutions firm SES and local technology startup Quicksilver Satcom Ventures.
Meanwhile, California-based Astranis also aims to offer services to 2 million Filipinos this year. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad INQ